Trump speaks with Putin as tensions rise in Middle East

The telephone name got here amid ongoing Washington-Moscow tensions over coverage in the Middle East and Russia’s makes an attempt to meddling in US elections.

Russian information businesses reported the telephone name additionally included dialogue of the state of affairs in Israel. Putin was assembly Monday in Moscow with Palestinian chief Mahmoud Abbas.

Tensions in the area are excessive after Syrian forces downed an Israeli F-16 fighter jet over the weekend. The jet was hit and went down Saturday in northern Israel after coming beneath “huge anti-aircraft hearth” from Syrian forces, in keeping with the Israeli military.

Each pilots ejected from the Israeli jet, and one was severely injured.

Russia has maintained a heavy presence in Syria to bolster the dictator there, Bashar al-Assad. The US has opposed Russia’s presence in the nation.

On Saturday, the White Home launched a press release declaring Israel “a staunch ally” of the US.

“We help its proper to defend itself from the Iranian-backed Syrian and militia forces in southern Syria,” the assertion from White Home press secretary Sarah Sanders learn. “We name on Iran and its allies to stop provocative actions and work towards regional peace.”

Trump’s relationship with Putin is difficult by the election meddling difficulty. Trump has mentioned he believes Putin believes he’s being earnest when he denies that Moscow tried to sway the presidential contest in Trump’s favor.

Congress handed a legislation over the summer time requiring Trump to impose new sanctions on Russia for the meddling, however thus far the administration has prevented placing the sanctions in place.